There are many yogurt choices available for consumers today. It’s not as simple of a choice as it used to be, light, fat free, fruit, plain—so many things to think of when buying yogurt. Some nutrient food labeling includes vitamins, omega-3, and now– probiotics. Whatever it’s called, it’s one of the best healthy choices available.
Yogurt created naturally
Yogurt is made into a healthy food by adding pasteurized milk to yogurt, and adding cultured bacteria. Lacid acid is created when the bacteria acts on the milks natural sugar, giving Greek Yogurt that thick creamy texture, and consistency with a delicious tangy taste. Live or active are used to describe the list of nutritional ingredients, and the bacteria to consumers. Yogurt is meant to be refrigerated, and eaten soon after opening.
Flavor enhancers for yogurt
Most of us eat flavored yogurts containing fruit, and sugar in the ingredients, there may be natural or artificial flavoring to enhance flavoring. For thicker yogurt, gelatin is usually added for texture, and longer shelf life. Adding more dairy ingredients like milk powder would make yogurt healthier, but added stabilizers and thickeners give yogurt a longer shelf life, without harming us and being cost efficient for the manufacturer.
Health benefits of yogurt
• Yogurt maintains colon health, by eating calcium rich yogurt there is a lesser chance of having colon cancer in the future.
- Yogurt supplies people with calcium that is lactose tolerant, yogurt contains lactase, which breaks down the lactose natural sugar, enzyme’s needed for digestion.
- Yogurt is protein rich, with added B vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates needed. Low –fat depending on if yogurt with low-fat milk is chosen or nonfat milk.
Healthy bacteria
To get the full benefits of yogurt, and to help with digestive problems yogurt has to be eaten every day. Only small amounts can withstand stomach acidity, and reach the intestines passing on to the digestive system. Eat healthy Greek yogurt for enhanced benefits.
Check labels—for healthier nutrients
Folic acid: vitamin B benefits everyone, associated with heart disease, and stroke; beneficial to pregnant and nursing women. Vitamin B is added to foods for better absorption of synthetic folic acid, which absorbs twice as fast.
Vitamin D: Is contained in some yogurts to help absorb, and use calcium. Vitamin D is Important for people over 50, as they need twice as much calcium as other people.
Omega -3: These essential fatty acids are essential to us, and we have to get them through foods, most people don’t get enough of the omega 3’s. Reduces the risk of heart attack, inflammatory difficulties, and depression, we need omega 3’s to help with our normal growth and development for a healthy body.